The Lagos State Police Command has ruled out terrorism, sabotage and the use of explosive devices in the incident that triggered panic in the Mushin area of Lagos, saying investigations revealed that the blast was caused by the failure of a pressurised mechanical component.
The command said forensic and technical findings showed that the incident, initially suspected to be an explosion involving an Improvised Explosive Device, was purely mechanical in nature and bore no link to any criminal activity.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, following the conclusion of investigations into the incident which occurred at the popular Shoe Materials Market on Wey Street, Oke Mushin.
According to the police, investigators found no evidence of explosive materials, detonators, initiation systems or blast patterns typically associated with terrorist attacks or bomb explosions.
The statement noted that the incident resulted from the catastrophic failure of a pressurised mechanical component located outside a parked vehicle.
The failure, the police explained, led to a sudden release of energy that shattered the front passenger-side glass panels of the affected Toyota Sienna and left its occupant with minor injuries.
“The investigation established that the incident resulted from the catastrophic failure of a pressurised mechanical component outside the vehicle. This failure generated a sudden release of energy which caused the shattering of the vehicle’s front passenger-side glass panels and resulted in minor injuries to the occupant.
“Based on these findings, the incident has been professionally classified as a mechanical explosion,” the statement read.
The development comes days after residents and traders in the bustling market area were thrown into panic following a loud bang from the vehicle on Monday, June 22.
The incident had sparked fears of a possible bomb attack, with eyewitnesses alleging that an explosive device might have been planted underneath the vehicle.
The speculation prompted an immediate security response, with operatives cordoning off the area while experts commenced investigations.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, visited the scene and assured residents that there was no security threat.
Reiterating that position on Thursday, the command urged members of the public to remain calm, stressing that the incident was neither an act of terrorism nor connected to any criminal use of explosives.
The police further assured Lagos residents that the state remains safe and that there is no indication of any wider security threat arising from the incident.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
